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Syria Project

Our work on Syria sheds light on the ongoing struggle of Syrians to fulfill their desire for democratic self-governance as the United States and the international community grapple with the aftermath of a devastating civil war, millions of refugees across the Middle East and Europe, and ongoing security and political challenges spilling over Syria’s borders.


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Syria Strategy Project

The Atlantic Council, Middle East Institute, and European Institute of Peace collaborate with subject matter experts and policymakers in the US, Europe, and the Middle East to develop a holistic strategy to sustainably forge a pathway to resolving Syria’s crisis.

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Middle East Programs

Working with our allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

Content

In the News

Jul 25, 2015

Ricciardone on Turkey Expanding Air Campaign

By Francis J. Ricciardone

The National quotes Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis J. Ricciardone on Turkey expanding its cross-border strikes against ISIS in Syria to include Kurdish militant bases in northern Iraq:

Iraq Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 24, 2015

Has Syria Been “Sold” To Iran?

By Frederic C. Hof

One of the staples of opinion among Syrians struggling to survive the twin onslaught of the Islamic State (ISIL or ISIS) and the Assad regime is that the United States “sold” Syria to Iran to close the deal with Tehran on nuclear weapons.

Iran Syria

In the News

Jul 24, 2015

Stein on Turkey’s Anti-ISIS Measures

By Aaron Stein

The Financial Times quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on Turkey wading into the battle against ISIS in Syria, while launching a broad security crackdown at home:

Syria Turkey

MENASource

Jul 23, 2015

Turkey’s Returning Fighter Problem

By Aaron Stein

On Tuesday July 20, Şeyh Abdurrahman Alagöz allegedly detonated a suicide vest in the Kurdish majority town of Suruç, killing thirty-two members of a leftist organization linked to the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP).

Syria Turkey

Europe After The Vote

Jul 23, 2015

Sciubba: The Greek Financial Crisis is Making its Migration Crisis Worse

By Jennifer Sciubba

Strategic Foresight Initiative Nonresident Senior Fellow Jennifer D. Sciubba writes for the Washington Post on how strained resources and xenophobia are creating a difficult landscape for migrants arriving in Greece:

Greece Syria

In the News

Jul 22, 2015

Lipke: How to Wage War Against ISIS Online

By Alexa Lipke

Transatlantic Security Initiative Intern Alexa Lipke writes for The National Interest on how to fight ISIS’s online influence:

Iraq Syria

In the News

Jul 21, 2015

Hadley and Ricciardone on ISIS

By Atlantic Council

Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis Ricciardone and former National Security Advisor and Middle East Strategy Task Force (MEST) Co-Chair Stephen Hadley join Voice of America to discuss ways to combat ISIS and the need for strong governance in Syria and Iraq to combat terrorism:

Iraq Syria

In the News

Jul 21, 2015

Stein on ISIS’s War on Syrian, Turkish Kurds

By Aaron Stein

Agence France-Presse quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on how Monday’s suicide bombing in Turkey is a spillover of ISIS’s war on the Kurds in Syria:

Syria Turkey

In the News

Jul 21, 2015

Stein on Turkish Stance on Syria

By Aaron Stein

Reuters quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on why an ISIS suicide bombing that killed thirty-two people in a Turkish border town is unlikely to change the Turkish stance on Syria:

Syria Turkey

In the News

Jul 20, 2015

Itani on Hezbollah after Iranian Deal

By Faysal Itani

The Washington Post quotes Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani on how the Iranian nuclear deal could strengthen Hezbollah:

Iran Israel

Experts